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Branch
​Outings

Tufted Duck © Rebecca Dickson
Outing to:​

Castle Semple Loch and RSPB Lochwinnoch

​Saturday 10th December 2022
PictureMallard © Zul Bhatia




OUTING LEADER: Zul Bhatia
 
TIME: 0930 - approx. 12.30
 
PRICE: Free
 
VENUE: Meet at Castle Semple car park (Grid Ref NS357590 / Postcode PA12 4EA) and walk to nearby RSPB Reserve.
 
TRAVELLING: Allow around half an hour from Central Glasgow.  Lochwinnoch railway station is just across the road from the RSPB nature reserve.  From there, there is a ten-minute walk to our starting point at Castle Semple.
 
BOOKING INFO: We are not asking participants to book, but if many people turn up, we may have to split into smaller groups.
 
TERRAIN: Tarmac & gravel paths (the one at the Barr Loch may be a bit muddy), all on level ground.

ACCESSIBILITY:
RSPB's accessibility statement, both for getting to the reserve and for access within it, is available at:
www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/lochwinnoch/accessibility/
 
OPTICS: Binoculars essential and preferably a scope but please be prepared to carry it for about ½ mile.
 
FOOTWEAR and CLOTHING: Walking boots/trek shoes ideally, and appropriate clothing for the conditions.
 
NB: May be postponed due to poor weather. Please check SOC Clyde branch website (www.birdsinclyde.scot) and Clyde Birding on Twitter in advance.
 
 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 The Lochwinnoch area has a wide variety of habitats, although for this walk we will be focussing on the wetland areas.  We will start at Castle Semple Loch car park where many tame wildfowl are present as well as shyer species further out.  We will then walk the Semple trail crossing the River Calder (Dipper possible) before arriving at the RSPB reserve.  A staff member may be available there to update us with latest developments and future plans.  We will probably have a chance to look at both the Aird Meadow and Barr Lochs and we should see a good variety of wetland birds.  We may be lucky and see some Whooper Swans and a Hen Harrier.

Toilet facilities, snacks, sandwiches and coffee machine available at the RSPB Visitor Centre.
Café and toilets at Castle Semple Visitor Centre
See ​the RSPB website:
www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/lochwinnoch/

The pace of the walk will be fairly relaxed and the ambience informal, with discussion and questions encouraged. The outing is suitable for birdwatchers of all levels.  The walk will be led by Zul Bhatia, who lives in Lochwinnoch and managed the RSPB Reserve there for 20 years.
 
You are welcome to stay on after the outing as there is much to see / explore in the area.  Please bring packed lunch if you are wanting to do this.
 
COVID-19 precautions
In order to keep everyone safe, our walks will be run in accordance with Scottish Government guidelines in place at the time.  Please do not attend if you (or anyone in your household) have any Covid-like symptoms.
 

​


SOC is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation SC009859. Material on this website is fully protected by copyright law, and may not be used or reproduced in any form without prior written permission © SOC Clyde Branch 2022
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  • Home
  • About us
    • Outings
    • Branch Committee
    • Talks
    • CBBD22 species list
    • Join the SOC
    • Acknowledgements
  • Recording & Reporting
    • Recent sightings
    • Clyde Recording Area map
    • Clyde Bird List
    • Recording and Reporting Birds
    • Rare Bird Reporting
    • Recording and Reporting FAQ
    • Gazetteer
    • Clyde Systematic Lists >
      • 2001
      • 2002
      • 2003
      • 2004
      • 2005
      • 2006
      • 2007
      • 2008
    • Grapevine Archive >
      • 2023 >
        • January 2023
      • 2022 >
        • Notable December 2022
        • December 2022
        • November 2022
        • October 2022
        • September 2022
        • August 2022
        • July 2022
        • June 2022
        • May 2022
        • April 2022
        • March 2022
        • February 2022
        • January 2022
      • 2021 >
        • Gallery 2021
        • December 2021
        • November 2021
        • October 2021
        • September 2021
        • August 2021
        • July 2021
        • June 2021
        • May 2021
        • April 2021
        • March 2021
        • February 2021
        • January 2021
  • Resources
    • Articles
    • Birdwatching Resources
    • Bird ID
    • Online Scottish Bird Report
    • SOC birding app
    • Publications
  • Get Involved
    • How to Get Involved with the Clyde SOC
    • Clyde bird projects
    • A-Z list of Groups / Projects
    • Further afield
  • Young Birders
    • SOC Youth Connect